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Hex Fiend
What it is
Hex Fiend is a free, open-source hex editor for macOS that lets users inspect and edit binary data. It can insert, delete, rearrange and overwrite data, search large files, and compare files while accounting for insertions and deletions. It does not keep files in memory or require a complete file load. Smart saving avoids rewriting unchanged portions and does not need temporary disk space. The maker says it can handle files as large as users can create and reports testing up to 118 GB. A data inspector interprets signed and unsigned integers and floating-point values in big- or little-endian formats. Scripted binary templates visualize file structure, while an embeddable framework provides hex and data views under a permissive BSD-style license. The official site lists version 2.18.1 and requires macOS 10.14.6 or later. The Mac App Store version collects no data and makes no network requests; the direct-download version checks for updates without collecting or storing user data.
For and against
For
- Free and open source.
- Edits binary data in several ways.
- Does not require loading entire files into memory.
- Binary comparison accounts for insertions and deletions.
- Includes scripted binary templates.
Against
- Available for macOS only.
- Requires macOS 10.14.6 or later.
- Direct downloads check for updates.
The verdict
Hex Fiend offers binary editing and comparison tools, with features for large files and scripted structure views. It is limited to macOS and requires version 10.14.6 or later.
Who it suits
Hex Fiend suits macOS users who need to inspect, edit, search or compare binary files. Its templates and embeddable framework may also suit users working with scripted file views or applications that need hex and data views.
Plans and prices
Hex Fiend
macOS only · open source · BSD-style license
Read 1 Oct 2026 · hexfiend.com
On the record
- Binary diff
- It compares files while accounting for insertions and deletions.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Binary templates
- Binary templates visualize file structure through scripting.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Current download
- The official site lists Hex Fiend 2.18.1 and requires macOS 10.14.6 or later.hexfiend.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Data inspector
- The data inspector interprets values as signed or unsigned integers and floating-point numbers in big- or little-endian formats.hexfiend.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Editing
- It supports inserting, deleting, rearranging, and overwriting binary data.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Embeddable framework
- Hex Fiend's framework lets applications embed hex and data views under a permissive BSD-style license.hexfiend.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Large files
- Hex Fiend can handle files as large as the user can create, and has been tested on files up to 118 GB.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Memory use
- It does not keep files in memory and does not require the entire file to be loaded.hexfiend.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Origin
- The maker's 2006 announcement describes Hex Fiend as free and developed as an experiment in handling huge files.ridiculousfish.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The Mac App Store distribution collects no data and performs no network requests.hexfiend.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Hex Fiend is a fast, clever open-source hex editor for macOS.hexfiend.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Saving
- Smart saving avoids rewriting unchanged portions and does not require temporary disk space.hexfiend.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Search
- The editor provides fast searching through large files.hexfiend.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Security
- Hex Fiend has been notarized for added security on macOS 10.14 and later.hexfiend.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Update checks
- The direct-download distribution uses Sparkle to check for new versions without collecting or storing user data.hexfiend.com · read 1 Oct 2026
